Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Japanese Showdown After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
